Joanna Mallwitz Review – Kurt Weill Album

Johanna Mallwitz and the Berlin Konzerthausorchester make their debut on a new label and present a cleverly composed program with a connection to Berlin: In addition to Kurt Weill's symphonies, the album also includes the “Seven Deadly Sins” based on Brecht's text. From the opening chords of the First Symphony, it is clear that Mallwitz wants to make the colors of this music shine with all their nuances. She does not sugarcoat anything, but she does not always say everything. She also succeeds because the balance of the individual instrumental groups is precisely orchestrated. Already in the first chords of the First Symphony, Mallwitz develops a high level of brevity that does not make you laugh. He forms a narrative flow from many details, and this makes this recording not only entertaining, but ultimately an exciting listening experience. In the Second Symphony, this recording does justice to Weill's original idea of ​​a “symphonic fantasy”. The soloists' group in “Todsünden” are also harmoniously represented.

kurt weill album
Will: Symphonies No. 1 and 2 and The Seven Deadly Sins

Catherine Merling (vocals), Michael Porter and Simon Boddy (tenors), Michael Nagel (baritone), Oliver Zwarg (bass baritone), Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Johanna Mallwitz (conductor)
german gramophone